Hastings Rationals

Due to changes in both personal and work circustances during the year I have not had time to keep this site updated or even work on organising the group. At this stage it does not look this will change any time soon. I will leave the site up in case the small amount of information here is of use to someone, and hopefully I will have a chance to come back to it at some later time.

Since Christmas is nearly upon us (again) I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very safe and happy Solstice - the real reason for the season! May the New Year be your best year yet.

The Webmaster, HR, 14 Dec 2007.

Promoting a rational approach to life

Hastings Rationals is a new initiative dedicated to promoting rationalist principals in the Port Macquarie / Hastings area. We aim to provide a forum for local atheists, agnostics, scientists, teachers, humanists, secularists, free thinkers and like-minded individuals to share their views on a range of issues and to generate ideas for advocating rationality in the local community and in all levels of government.

News

13 July 2007 - Australian census reveals more people with "No religion"

Preliminary goals

As a new venture, the nature and objectives of the Hastings Rationals will undoubtedly change over time. The list below outlines some initial social, organisational and strategic goals.

Establish a leadership team who will handle administrative tasks (such as organising meetings, maintaining this web site etc.) and be the primary motivational force of the Hastings Rationals;
Hold regular public meetings where local residents can meet for group discussions, seminars, socialising and networking;
Set up an online forum to aid discussion and exploration of a wide range of topics;
Engage with local youth by sponsoring and organising social events, youth development programmes and educational activities;
Develop a local youth scholarship programme;
Support local public education by establishing a coordinated programme of fundraising, marketing / public relations assistance, volunteer work and political lobbying;
Support secular charities through assistance with fundraising and promotion;
Lobby political parties and elected representatives at all levels of government (including Port Macquarie Hastings councilors) regarding development of rational, secular public policy. [See our list of high profile issues and areas of concern.]

Quote...

"Of course people of faith want us to respect their beliefs. For they have no other way of defending them than to appeal to respect, to promise rewards for believers, or threaten punishments for unbelievers. So anyone who cares about the truth should resist these meme tricks. Religious faith is something that we should struggle to throw off when we have better ways of learning the truth about the universe we live in; something we should overcome rather than something we should respect."

~ Sue Blackmore

Get involved!